And I believe that if we, as the church, don't try to understand why people such as Lennon turned their heart so hard against religion, that we're making a mistake. I don't agree or justify his lifestyle. But if I can understand why he was where he was, I just might be able to prevent more like him, and as well, reach those that are in his "neck of the woods." And our church has been instrumental in the salvation of many that were formerly "anti-God", "anti-religion", "Christian-haters."
When I read the words of Lennon, my heart breaks for him and others that are in his shoes. I feel like many areas of religion failed him and I think we all have to look in the mirror and see where "we", as the ecumenical church, went wrong. "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
How do YOU (NOW) become "all things to all men that you might by ALL means win some?" What lessons have you learned?
I know that I have learned while talking to so many professional folks, that modern religion does not wear a robe of white. They wear a cloak of conflicting messages. Which causes so many to not turn away, but to never look back once they see the product the church is putting forth.
I wonder how many hippie's walked into churches in the 60's & 70's, and were met with love and acceptance.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
John Lennon may have been an outsider, and sometimes the outsider see's the duck for what it is!
That is absolutely the truth and that's why I think we should take very seriously what he said. These guys had and still have major influence over a major part of the culture we claim to be trying to reach. If we can't understand them, we don't have a chance.
How do YOU (NOW) become "all things to all men that you might by ALL means win some?" What lessons have you learned?
Wow. Big question. There have been times when I looked in the spiritual mirror and realized what I really was as a religious person that I could only sob. I saw where Cindy said, "How many hippies walked into a church in the 60's & 70's and found acceptance?"
Chuck Smith, who founded the "Jesus movement" on the beaches of Southern California, made major efforts to get the "hippies" into his church. And they started flooding the building. But the board of his church demanded that Smith start requiring the "hippies" to wear, at least, sandals (they all were barefoot) because the natural oils of their feet were ruining the carpet.
THAT'S the kind of thing I've learned the most. If you're willing to read many long writings I could tell you much more. In every lesson, it always ended with being greatly humbled when I realized how self-righteous I had been.
Wow. Big question. There have been times when I looked in the spiritual mirror and realized what I really was as a religious person that I could only sob. I saw where Cindy said, "How many hippies walked into a church in the 60's & 70's and found acceptance?"
Chuck Smith, who founded the "Jesus movement" on the beaches of Southern California, made major efforts to get the "hippies" into his church. And they started flooding the building. But the board of his church demanded that Smith start requiring the "hippies" to wear, at least, sandals (they all were barefoot) because the natural oils of their feet were ruining the carpet.
THAT'S the kind of thing I've learned the most. If you're willing to read many long writings I could tell you much more. In every lesson, it always ended with being greatly humbled when I realized how self-righteous I had been.
I'm willing to read long writings. Why don't you start a series over in the blog cafe?
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
Fantasizing about a godless society is a good thing Neck?
Really?
John Lennon was a perverted hedonistic self serving, God hating purveyor of sin in all its many forms.
And this song, above all others was his anthem.
And this is your answer?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU????
Ferd, you're missing the point....how would you try to win someone like Lennon to Christ? We can rant and rave about the "antiChristness" of the song but is there something we can take from the song to try to win others.
I don't like the words of the song either. But I do like the intent of the song.......a world where we all get along. I know it won't happen until Christ returns but we can at least show folks who think like this that God is not the author of all the strife in the world that parades itself as religion. God is good.
__________________
His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
And I believe that if we, as the church, don't try to understand why people such as Lennon turned their heart so hard against religion, that we're making a mistake. I don't agree with or justify his lifestyle. But if I can understand why he was where he was, I just might be able to prevent more like him, and as well, reach those that are in his "neck of the woods." And our church has been instrumental in the salvation of many that were formerly "anti-God", "anti-religion", "Christian-haters."
When I read the words of Lennon, my heart breaks for him and others that are in his shoes. I feel like many areas of religion failed him and I think we all have to look in the mirror and see where "we", as the ecumenical church, went wrong. "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Well my friend, you make an assumption that I am part of something that you are a part of.
that isnt the case. You connect yourself to the mainstream christian faith.
I do not. I see that as dead religion and always have.
I am not part of that.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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